Coronavirus Breaking News

Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) have discovered unusually high levels of parasitic infection in the insects that transmit Chagas disease along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The kissing bugs were collected near homes and natural areas, raising concerns about the potential for local transmission of the disease in the Southwestern United States.

Led by Dr. Rosa Maldonado, a professor of biological sciences, the research team found that the infection prevalence in kissing bugs has significantly increased, from 63.3% in a study conducted in 2021 to 88.5% in the current study.

This alarming trend indicates that T. cruzi infections, which cause Chagas disease, are on the rise. It remains alongside dengue fever as one of the neglected diseases with the highest burden in the Americas. 

"The infection prevalence in kissing bugs has risen significantly, indicating a marked upward trend for T. cruzi infections," Dr. Maldonado mentioned in a press release on January 6, 2026.

For this study, researchers collected kissing bugs from various locations, including El Paso County, Texas, and southern New Mexico, as well as from Franklin Mountains State Park, Central El Paso, and Canutillo.

The findings from this study suggest that Chagas disease is becoming an increasing public health issue in the Southwest. In this region, the disease was previously confined primarily to Latin America.

However, in 2025, Texas reported 22 human cases of Chagas disease, both imported and locally acquired.

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and is primarily spread by blood-feeding insects known as kissing bugs. This debilitating illness affects approximately 6 million people worldwide and can persist for decades in its chronic phase, often without symptoms.

However, it can lead to severe heart and gastrointestinal complications over time.

Previously, on March 20, 2025, researchers at UTEP successfully tested a faster, more sensitive, and more reliable method for diagnosing Chagas disease.

Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization, no approved vaccine exists to prevent Chagas disease. However, vaccine development is ongoing in 2026.

The current study, published in the journal Epidemiology & Infection, was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Priscila S. G. Farani, an assistant professor in UTEP's School of Pharmacy.

Clemson University officials were recently informed by the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) of a confirmed case of measles in an individual affiliated with the University.

As of January 17, 2026, the individual has isolated per DPH requirements, and DPH is conducting contact tracing with individuals who may have been exposed and outlining isolation and quarantine protocols.

DPH will provide email notifications to any individuals identified as possible contacts who may need to quarantine. A person infected with measles is contagious for 4 days before and after the rash begins. Isolation of an actively infectious case lasts until four full days after the onset of the rash, and DPH determines the dates of isolation.

If a person without documented immunity receives a dose of the MMR vaccine within 72 hours after the last exposure, they do not have to quarantine. 

According to the most recent data from Student Health Services, nearly 98% of main campus Clemson students have provided proof of immunity. Recent data indicated that about 30,000 students and staff were affiliated with the University in 2026.

Statewide, South Carolina is experiencing a significant measles outbreak, with the total reaching 558 cases as of January 19, 2026, centered in Spartanburg County and extending into North Carolina in cities such as Asheville. 

Indian health officials in western Madhya Pradesh recently implemented emergency measures in response to a localized outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune neurological disorder.

As of January 18, 2026, The Hindu reports indicate that there are at least 14 to 18 cases of GBS (confirmed and suspected), many of which are among children and adolescents.

Two people have died in 2026, and others were on life support, with some cases requiring ICU treatment.

Additional cases have been reported in adults, including a recent diagnosis in Neemuch city.

In response to the outbreak, two rounds of door-to-door screenings have been conducted by Health Department teams, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi staff to identify potential new cases early.

During early January 2026, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, who oversees health, visited the area to inspect preparations and directed that the government cover the treatment costs, including critical medications and injections.

Financial aid is also being provided to some families through the Red Cross Society.

GBS is often triggered by preceding infections, such as Campylobacter jejuni (which can result from contaminated food or water), respiratory viruses, or other pathogens; however, the exact cause of this current cluster is still under investigation.

Past GBS clusters in India have occasionally been linked to water quality issues or acute diarrheal diseases.

In 2025, Pune, Maharashtra, reported over 200 cases and 23 deaths linked to contaminated water sources.

For international travelers to India, including Madhya Pradesh, major health authorities such as the U.S. CDC have not issued specific travel health advisories related to this GBS outbreak. Standard travel vaccinations (hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies, if at risk) are still recommended for travel to India in 2026.

Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Since October 2025, several European countries have observed increases in influenza positivity rates among patients tested in community laboratories, beginning as early as week 41 of 2025.

According to a Rapid Communication published in Eurosurveillance (Volume 31, Issue 2), in France, the 2025/26 flu season is characterized by high circulation of influenza A(H3N2) viruses from subclade K, alongside co-circulation of A(H1N1)pdm09 subclade D.3.1.1.

 As of January 15, 2026, an early assessment of influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza using data from community laboratory surveillance through the first week of January 2026.

The overall interim VE estimate for individuals vaccinated from 15 days to 3 months before testing was 36.4% (95% CI: 29.7–42.5). Among the population aged ≥ 65 years, the point estimate was lower, peaking at 27.7% and overlapping with the 95% CI (16.7–37.3). 

These researchers concluded that despite a partial vaccine mismatch this season, interim analyses indicate a statistically significant vaccine VE across all age groups.

In the context of sustained influenza circulation in Europe, it is strongly recommended to reinforce vaccination uptake in the coming weeks.

This new data supports the U.S. CDC's recommendation that most visitors to France get an annual flu shot about two weeks before traveling abroad in 2026. Various flu shots are offered at travel clinics in the USA.

A new large-scale study analyzing healthcare claims data from 2016 to 2022 has revealed that Lyme disease (LD) imposes a substantial economic burden, with direct medical costs significantly higher for patients with disseminated disease compared to those with localized infections.

This new research, published in JAMA Network Open on January 14, 2026, identified over 70,000 Lyme disease cases and employed multiple analytical approaches to estimate costs, all adjusted to 2022 dollars.

Key findings highlight the mean LD-specific direct medical cost per episode at $2,227.

Furthermore, costs varied dramatically by disease stage:

• Localized, early-stage disease: $695 per episode compared with $695,
• Disseminated disease: $6,833 per episode,
• In a self-control approach, patients incurred an average of $3,304 higher all-cause costs in the 6 months following diagnosis than in the prior 6 months,
• Case-control comparisons showed differences ranging from $4,098 to $5,571 in projected 6-month total all-cause costs after multivariable adjustment for baseline characteristics.

According to these researchers, these estimates were generally higher than those from prior studies, potentially due to longer episode durations allowed in this analysis, the use of standardized insurance-allowed amounts, and inclusion of diverse insurance types and all age groups.

These findings emphasize the need for enhanced prevention strategies, prompt diagnosis, and awareness to mitigate escalating healthcare expenditures. Early intervention could substantially reduce the disproportionate costs driven by disseminated disease, these researchers added.

The U.S. CDC says Lyme disease remains the most common vector-borne illness in the United States, with an estimated 476,000 people diagnosed and treated annually. In 2025, most LD cases were reported in the northern states in the east and the Midwest.

From a disease prevention option, one Lyme disease vaccine candidate (VLA15) is progressing in phase 3 clinical trials. However, the approval date for this innovative vaccine has not yet been announced.

The U.S. Department of State has issued its highest-level warning, Level 4: Do Not Travel, for 22 destinations due to life-threatening risks. These locations are subject to ongoing security assessments, and the reasons for the warnings vary by destination.

As of mid-January 2026, the State Department lists the following countries and areas under this critical advisory: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burma, Central African Republic, Gaza, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.

These advisories, including reissuances in early January 2026, emphasize that U.S. citizens should avoid travel to these areas entirely.

In many of these areas, the U.S. government has very limited or no ability to assist American citizens during emergencies.

For U.S. citizens already present in Level 4 destinations, the Department strongly urges departure as soon as safe travel options become available, as the government's capacity to provide emergency support, including evacuations, remains constrained in these high-risk environments.

The State Department recommendations for all international travelers include enrolling in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive real-time updates, alerts, and emergency assistance from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Seperately, as of January 15, 2026, the UK's Foreign travel advice offers similar information, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks, and legal differences.

While the advisories focus on security threats rather than health risks, international travelers should cross-reference the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Health Notices and the UK Travel Health Pro for any vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, such as chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, or zika, which may overlap in some tropical regions

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice, advising travelers to practice enhanced precautions due to the ongoing clade II Mpox outbreak in Liberia.

As of early November 2025, the West African country of Liberia has reported 2,447 suspected cases of Mpox since the outbreak began in September 2024. The virus is transmitted between clade IIa and clade IIb strains, with local human-to-human spread observed.

There are also cross-border links to neighboring countries such as Sierra Leone.

This CDC travel advisory, effective as of January 14, 2026, emphasizes the transmission of clade II Mpox from person to person, including through sexual and other intimate contact. The CDC has noted that both males and females are affected approximately equally.

To combat the outbreak, the Liberian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with partners such as the World Health Organization and the Africa CDC, has implemented enhanced response measures. These measures include a nationwide vaccination campaign to administer 42,720 vaccine doses to high-risk groups by the end of January 2026.

The CDC advises travelers to Liberia to review this notice and consider getting vaccinated against Mpox (JYNNEOS®) if they plan to engage in activities that may increase their risk.

Last year, approximately 80,000 international tourists visited Liberia.

This U.S. FDA-approved vaccine is offered at various travel clinics throughout the USA.